Topics of conversation as Wales attempts to end quest for success in Australia

Wales begin their tour of Australia on Saturday when they face the Wallabies in Sydney.

Warren Gatland’s side face two Test matches before taking on the Queensland Reds as they look to rediscover the winning formula that has failed them since the 2023 World Cup.

Here PA News Agency looks at the most important points of pre-game discussion.

Wales has gone down

It is 55 years since Wales beat the Wallabies on Australian soil. That 19-16 success at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1969 was secured by a Wales team featuring players such as JPR Williams, John Dawes, Barry John and Gareth Edwards, but for 11 consecutive matches it was a one-way street.

Wales have lost all of their matches, including heavy defeats of 63-6 (1991), 42-3 (1996) and 31-0 (2007), although on their last visit in 2012 they lost by just three points in the second and third Tests combined.

Both countries are currently in a rebuilding phase as part of the early four-year World Cup cycle, but history shows how difficult the task ahead will be for Wales.

Gatland welcomes reinforcements

Wales’ first international of the summer season ended in a 41-13 defeat to South Africa at Twickenham, but as the match was not part of the World Rugby schedule it meant that England players Nick Tompkins, Josh Hathaway, Dillon Lewis, Archie Griffin, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza and Tommy Reffell were unable to be called up.

Gatland could now call on their services again as Wales seek their first Test win in nine months. Jenkins and Reffell, in particular, are pillars of the head coach’s squad and will have huge roles to play in Sydney, while it will be fascinating to see how untainted Gloucester man Josh Hathaway performs at the highest level.

Life After Eddie Jones

Australia fell to their lowest ebb at the 2023 World Cup in France, crashing out of the group stage for the first time before head coach Eddie Jones’ reign ended just 10 months into his five-year contract. The former England manager won just two of his nine matches, with Wales among those to add to the misery by winning the World Cup 40-6 in Lyon.

Australian rugby bosses then turned to former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, who helped lead three Six Nations triumphs and victories over New Zealand during a successful period. Schmidt is now preparing for his first match as Wallabies coach and everyone expects him to turn the team around.

Ben Thomas moves to number 10

It’s safe to say Wales’ No.10 shirt is up for grabs. With Gatland returning for a second stint as Wales head coach ahead of the 2023 Six Nations, Cardiff prospect Thomas will become his sixth different playmaker. Dan Biggar has already retired from Test rugby, while the experienced Gareth Anscombe suffered another injury setback at the World Cup.

Owen Williams, Sam Costelow and Ioan Lloyd have also had chances to varying degrees, and now the spotlight turns to Thomas, a regular at centre for Cardiff. He returns to Test rugby three years after his last appearance for Wales, and the stage is his to make a statement.

Aaron Wainwright reaches half-century

Number eight Wainwright will become the latest member of the 50-cap Wales club when he runs out in Sydney on Saturday, and there is no doubting the value he brings to Gatland’s side. Consistency is his trademark and he has effortlessly filled the role that Taulupe Faletau has made his own over many seasons, appearing in two-thirds of the Tests Wales have played since making his debut against Argentina in San Juan six years ago.

Wainwright’s experience and reliability will be key if Wales are to make an impact against Australia, and his partnership with reserve team-mates Reffell and Taine Plumtree will be a vital part of that machine.